Horsin' Around

Last weekend we met my parents in the land of bourbon and horses (a/k/a Kentucky) since we weren't able to go back to Wisconsin for the holidays. The night before we left we innocently stopped at a friend's house to give them our house key so they could watch our dogs, and somehow we ended up staying there and playing drinking games until 3 a.m. Needless to say, the eight hour drive the next morning was extremely long. I also get carsick really easily, so I spent the entire ride through the mountains doing everything in my power to not throw up. When we finally got there, we opened gifts and ate pizza with my parents and then went to bed.

On Saturday we visited a horse park and saw some of the most famous horses ever. Here we are taking a little break from all the horsin' around:

The three of us have been passing around a very nasty head cold for the past ten days, and I noticed something interesting--since when do they put motivational quotes on cough drop wrappers??

Then we went back to the hotel and had a family game night. We played Last Word, and it was pretty fun. You really have to use your brain though, so I was a little slow coming up with words since my brain is fogged with cold medicine.

On Sunday we went on a ride through horse country and saw some pretty horses. My mom had a close encounter with a couple and got some good pictures, but I was still in the car trying to convince myself my stomach wasn't doing somersaults. I really hate having such a sensitive stomach--I can never enjoy car rides unless the road is perfectly straight and flat.

Then we went to a horse race track called Keeneland, which is pretty cool considering my maiden name is Keene. The actual track was closed for the season, but we didn't let that stop us from sneaking up to the clubhouse suites and taking some pictures.

After we escaped the horse track without getting caught sneaking around, we went to the Woodford Reserve to see how bourbon is made. I'm not a huge fan of bourbon, so Hubs ended up drinking three of the four shots we got at the end of the tour. I bet that made him feel pretty good!

And just like that, the weekend was already over. How was everyone else's weekend?

~Fluffy Girl~ 

  

Just the Three of Us

I hope everyone had a great holiday! Ours was very low key since it was just the three of us this year. On Christmas Eve we went bowling, and the most amazing thing happened during the second game--I actually beat both Hubs and Boy! Unfortunately it wasn't because I bowled really well--it was because they both had a really bad game. Oh well, I'll take the victory!

After bowling we came home and played games for presents. If you won a game, you got to open a gift! I totally kicked their butts in Yahtzee. I just couldn't lose! AND I even beat the all-time high score. Look at all those Yahtzee's!!

Hubs got me a gift that was meant as more of a joke, but I really actually like it! Check it out:

NKOTB Greatest Hits CD and poster!! 

This was actually the first present I opened, so of course we had to listen to it while we played games. It brought back lots of childhood memories for me. I was infatuated with Donnie Wahlberg back in the day. He was so dreamy :)

Christmas morning we got up and opened the presents we had left and our stockings. Then I went for a 4 mile run, and in the afternoon we went to a movie. Just like that, Christmas was over!

Honestly, this holiday was bittersweet because it is the last time that the three of us will be together for the holidays before Boy leaves for college--next year, Hubs will be deployed in Afghanistan. I tried not to think about it, but I'm not gonna lie....it was in the back of my mind all week. I hate that he has to leave again in a few months, but I'm gonna have to pull it together so we can enjoy the rest of our time together before he deploys.

What were some of the highlights of your holiday? 

Did you have snow where you live?

~Fluffy Girl~

Small World

The weekend was super duper busy with shopping, gift wrapping, running, got my hair done, more shopping, more gift wrapping, cleaning, laundry, and trying to dodge all the sick germies in my house. Both Hubs and Boy had a bad cold, but luckily I have somehow managed to stay healthy (so far). I really hope they both feel better today since we are about to spend the next five days together!

On Saturday I went for my run on a 3 mile loop trail. While I was on my second lap, a lady I had passed by earlier gave me a high five and said, "You go girl! You are doing great!!" It's so nice to have a complete stranger encourage me and give me props for my effort. That lady made my day and put a smile on my face :)

Funny story--when I was getting my hair done the other day, my stylist and I were catching up on everything that has happened over the past two months since I saw her last. She asked me a question about Boy's relationship status and called his girl by her name, which I thought was a little odd since I couldn't recall ever telling her that. Well, it turns out that she does her hair too, as well as her mother's! The stylist put two and two together when girlfriend's mom told her a story and she felt like she had heard it before--from me! It sure is a small world.

 ~Fluffy Girl~

Staying Busy

This has been a crazy busy week! I have taken on a lot more responsibilities at work recently, and my boss wasn't kidding when he said my workload would triple or possibly quadruple. Honestly, I prefer to be super-slammed busy because it makes time fly by at work. I finally just got caught up, as you can see here by my completely empty inbox. I'm sure it won't stay that way for long!

My job can take me to some pretty interesting places sometimes. By interesting places I mean things like this:

And this:

Never in a million years would I have thought I would have a job that required me to do the things I have done here. When we finally move away in a couple years, I will have a ton of new skills to add to my resume, including hanging out at the dump and scavenging for material.

I have managed to stay on track with my running schedule this week, but my shins are not happy. Hopefully after resting them today I can still pound out my long run tomorrow. I'm thinking about going with the running group again in the morning, but we'll see about that. It was just really awkward the first time I went, so I'm not sure if it's really my thing.

Yesterday after my run I also played a little tennis with Hubs and Boy, but I'm no match for them. Boy is still the tennis champ, which pisses Hubs off beyond words. It's funny to watch them be all competitive with eachother.

Most of the time I just ran around being the ball girl...and taking random pictures of my pretty pink and black tennis racket.

This week I finally got my prescription for Armour Thyroid, and today is my second day taking it. Of course it will take some time to figure out if it will make me feel any better.  I have read what a lot of other hypothyroidism patients have said about this natural hormone (taken from pigs), and a large majority of them love it. I hope I do too! Keep your fingers crossed :)

This weekend is going to be a busy one--I still have more holiday shopping to do, wrapping presents, etc etc. I can't wait until this holiday season is over. I know that sounds all scroog-y, but this time of year always stresses people out and makes everyone crabby. I'm ready for the new year to begin!

~Fluffy Girl~

Going for All Pink

So today I was looking at my marathon training schedule, and I noticed a few things that I totally do not like.

 
First of all, there are way too many X's on this thing and not enough pink (X's are bad and pink, as always, is good). Second, apparently Mondays & Thursdays and me running do not get along very well. I'm thinking about taking Monday's off the schedule completely or making them a cross training/walking day, but I'll give them another week or two and see how it goes. I'm usually still a little sore on Mondays after my long runs on Saturdays, so that extra day of rest might just be what this fluffy ol' body needs. My goal this week is to go for all pink--no slacking!!

Another not-so-cool thing is that I have also been tracking my weight each week on Mondays, and it has fluctuated up and down by two pounds every single week. This week it's up by two pounds again. Very frustrating to be doing all this running and not seeing any weight loss whatsoever. Screw you, thyroid disease. Grrrrr.

Speaking of that, today I got a call from the endocrinologist office--not from the doctor himself, but from one of the nurses. Apparently he didn't wish to speak to me again after I cussed him out last week over the prescription fiasco. Anyways, the nurse was calling to tell me that the doctor was able to put in a "special order" for the Armour Thyroid for me. I guess being a bitch pays off sometimes! I am really psyched to try this medication, and hopefully I have good results like so many other thyroid patients have. Fingers crossed :)

Subject change: Last week was the holiday party for my husband's unit, and it was...shall we say...interesting. The best part of the night was when we picked up a special someone on the way there.

Ho Ho Ho

It's not every day you can say you had Santa Claus in your vehicle!

I'm super glad my work doesn't do a holiday party--I'm not sure I could handle spending any more time with my boss (or any of the other grumpy old men I work with, for that matter), especially if I wasn't being paid to be there!

What about you--does your employer do a holiday party? Do you like going, or do you dread it? Any funny and/or embarrassing stories from holiday parties? Sound off!

~Fluffy Girl~

He's a Quack

Alright, I know I've left everyone hanging the last few days since my doctor appointment earlier this week so here's a long story short: This new doctor is a quack.

I started out the appointment by explaining all my symptoms, and believe me the list is quite long. The doctor typed everything I said into my record on the computer so I know he heard what I was saying, but he wasn't listening. There's a big difference. Strike One.

Then he showed me the results of my blood test which verified exactly what I thought was happening: all my thyroid levels are all on the low end of the "normal" spectrum. As in, JUST ABOVE the minimum. I explained to him all the things that I went through the last time my levels were low back in 2010-2011 and how my doctor in Texas helped me find my "sweet spot". I told him exactly what dosage of Synthroid I was taking and how amazing I felt at that time, and that I had huge weight loss success when I was at the higher end of the "normal" spectrum. But, just like his predecessor, this new doctor refuses to change my dosage because I am indeed within the normal range. Strike Two. 

Next we talked about changing my medication to a natural brand instead of the synthetic that I have been taking my entire life. There have been numerous studies conducted that show that a majority of people felt better and had less symptoms when taking the natural thyroid hormones, and they had better weight loss success. I have read numerous articles about it (it's called Armour Thyroid), and I asked him if that was something that the military prescribes. There is some controversy surrounding this medication, but the doctor said that I could definitely try it and see if I felt better. He calculated the conversion to find the dosage I would need and entered the prescription in the computer. It seemed like this was a small victory and maybe things would get better--until I went to the pharmacy. The doctor did indeed put the prescription in for the Armour Thyroid, but when I went to pick it up I was told that military pharmacies don't carry that medication.  Seeing how I was on a military base, at a military hospital, being seen by a military doctor, don't you think he would know that I couldn't even get this medication there???!!! Strike Three.

HE'S OUT!!  Quack quack.

~Fluffy Girl~

Crazy Time at the Hospital

Well folks, the long anticipated doctor appointment occurred today. On the way home I was incredibly upset about the outcome and fought back tears of disappointment the entire 30 miles. Then when I got home, Hubs gave me lots of hugs and kisses and rubbed my back, and then he forced me to go on a run. I felt a little better after that. And yes, he actually did force me--he literally put my socks and running shoes on my feet, smacked my ass, said "Go get it, Champ" and sent me on my way. There was no arguing with the giant. 

During my run I decided maybe it will all turn out okay. Before I get into the boring details of my appointment, let me first entertain you with the absurd story of my arrival at the hospital. 

Upon entering the parking garage, I knew it was going to be a major pain in the ass to find a spot just by looking at the faces of the other drivers. They had that 'Oh my god, I'm about to drive my vehicle off the edge of the top level" look on their faces. I drove around and around and around the five levels numerous times trying to find someone to stalk to their vehicle so I could have their spot. Unfortunately, there were about 20 other people doing the same exact thing as me. I finally found a spot, pulled in, and heaved a huge sigh of relief. As I got out of the car, I noticed a blue line surrounding my parking spot and let out a long string of curse words that would send my mother running for the holy water to douse me with. It was a damn handicapped spot! Why hadn't I noticed this when I parked there?! Ugh. I got back in the car for another five laps around the parking garage. Finally I found a spot on the top level, so then I had the pleasure of running through the pouring rain to the stairs. I got all the way to the main building of the hospital, but somehow I was at a different entrance than I usually use. The Naval hospital is ginormous, so it took me five minutes to figure out where I was in the building and then navigate my way through numerous corridors to the endocrinology department. I finally found it and then waited in line to get checked in behind a mother with a screaming baby. Babies are cute and all, but I have no patience for them when they are screaming in a public place. It was finally my turn so I stepped up to the desk, and every military wife's worst nightmare happened....I couldn't find my military ID. You are pretty much worthless without your ID on a military installation and they wouldn't allow me to check in without it, so I had to sprint back through the building, back up the 5 levels of stairs in the parking garage--still in the pouring rain I might add--and then I couldn't find my car. So now not only had I lost my military ID, but also my vehicle. After another few minutes of running around like a loony tune, I finally found my car. I got in, shook my hair out like a dog, and frantically started searching for my ID. I found it in the crack between my seat and the console. I have no idea how it got there since I had just used it to get in the gate, but who really knows at that point. I probably threw it in a fit of rage after realizing my first choice of a parking spot had been illegal. So then I had to run back down the five levels of stairs, and when I got to the bottom I realized I was at yet another entrance that I didn't recognize. Once inside, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't even in the right building. I grabbed the first person I saw who looked like they might know where the hell I was and asked ordered them to take me all the way to the endocrinology department because at that point I was soaked to the bone (and remember how I just said the other day how much I despise being wet from the rain?!), I was pissed off, and I couldn't even think straight. I must have looked just crazy enough to be scary, because the young sailor didn't say a word as he quickly took me through two buildings and right up to the check-in desk at Endo. He was gone before I even had the chance to thank him, but I'm sure his quick escape from the wacky lady was reward enough.

From there, my time at the hospital didn't get any better. Since I have practically written half a novel tonight though, I think I will save the details of my disappointment with the new doctor for my next post. 

Stay tuned!

~Fluffy Girl~

Bottom Line

Well tomorrow is the day I meet my new endocrinologist, and I hope he's ready for me! I have spent a lot of time this last week reading up on different treatment options and gathering other information to talk to him about. I hope he really is as wonderful as the nurse says he is, because I'm totally stressed out about my weight gain and other symptoms I'm experiencing. I just want to feel good, have energy, and be healthy. Is that too much to ask?

I haven't been running much the past two weeks--shin pain and complete lack of energy have stolen all my motivation--and my marathon training plan is pretty much in the toilet right now. It also hasn't helped that it has been raining here the past few days, and I absolutely despise running in the rain. Something about my head and face being wet and cold just really does not sit well with me!  The last half marathon I did was in the rain, and it totally ruined the experience for me. I had a chill for days after that no matter how many layers of clothing I put on or cups of hot chocolate and soup I consumed. I may have to give in and start going to the gym on rainy days to run on the treadmill. Not ideal, but I guess it is better than doing nothing at all.

Bottom line is this: I have to get back on track immediately, or this marathon is not going to happen for me.

~Fluffy Girl~

Long Week

Even though I had an extended weekend, this week has dragged on forever and been really stressful. Why do multiple stressful situations always have to happen at the same time? You can be going along in your life just fine, and then BAM! A bunch of crappy things happen all at once. Well, that pretty much sums up my week. 

BUT, let's not focus on the negative. Here's a few positive things that happened lately:

1.   I had an employee appraisal at work yesterday and got another raise, with the promise of another increase after the new year.
2.  I finished my five mile training run yesterday even though it was slow and painful. Darn shins are killing me! But at least I finished, and that is what matters.
3. I got an earlier appointment with my new endocrinologist. Luckily he had a cancellation, so he can get me in next week! That is way better than the January date he originally gave me. Yay! Super pumped about this.

And here's a goofy picture of Hubs and I last weekend at Nauticus Museum. Funny thing is I am standing on my tip-toes just to see out the window, and Hubs is just standing normally. He's such a giant!



Annnnd this is my favorite pic from the weekend:



What about everyone else? How was your week--good or bad? Share something :)

~Fluffy Girl~

Derailed

I'm back! I got a little derailed over the past week when my brother and his wife came to visit, but I'm ready to get back on track. We had lots of fun showing them around the area and just hanging out. We had lots of good laughs and created some memories that will be talked about for years. It is always an interesting time when the five of us get together!

One good thing about getting a little off track on my running was that it gave my shins a much needed break. I only ran on Monday and Saturday last week, so my legs got some good recovery time in between. I'm beginning to wonder if the pain is more than just shin splints and possibly something more serious like a stress fracture. I ran 3 miles yesterday and had some pain, but I pushed through it and finished at the best pace I've had since I started my training. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for 5 miles, so I guess we will see how that goes.

I'm still waiting to hear back from my new endocrinologist about the results of my blood test. I thought I would have heard something by now, so I will be calling him tomorrow to see what my thyroid levels are. I'm really anxious to meet with him to discuss my weight and other health issues--this has gone on far too long, and I am really getting sick of it. I just want to feel good again!

~Fluffy Girl~

There is Hope!

I just got some great news. Most of you won't give two shits about this, but I am so happy right now! As I have mentioned in the past, I have thyroid disease. As a military wife, it is SO TOUGH to find a good doctor every time we move to a new duty station. Once your thyroid levels get imbalanced, it can take months to correct them--so it is extremely important to find a doctor that will listen to you and continue the treatment plan that the doctor before them was following. I had finally found an amazing doctor in Texas; he helped me not only get my thyroid levels balanced, but I also lost 35 pounds under his care and was in the best shape I had been in years. Of course the weight loss didn't magically happen overnight and I had to work hard for it, but at least it worked because I was taking the right dosage of medication for my body. But once I accomplished that awesome year of weight loss and getting healthy, we inevitably got orders to move away....which of course meant starting over with a new doctor.

I have seen three different doctors here in the past two years, and in my opinion they all need to go back to medical school. This last one really pissed me off had no desire to listen to me and only focused on my blood test results, which is a recipe for disaster when it comes to thyroid disease. Here's a quick lesson: There is a "range" that is considered normal for thyroid hormone levels. For fun, let's just say that normal levels should be between 10 and 20 (this is just an example--that is nowhere close to what these numbers are in reality). Some people's bodies function best at 20, others at 13, some at 17, etc etc. For me, my body functions best at the "high" end of the spectrum. This has been proven by my doctor in Texas; I lost weight, I felt good, I was healthy, I wasn't moody, I had energy, I had skin clear of acne and excema, my hair wasn't falling out, and life was beautiful.

Fast foward to the present time: My most recent doctor felt, for some undisclosed reason, that I should be at the lower end of the spectrum (despite my temper tantrums) and therefore....I have gained back that 35 pounds, my hair is falling out, I feel like crap half the time with no energy, I have acne and dry skin, I'm moody and stressed out. Thanks for nothing, doc!

But now, I have a small, tiny, itty-bitty glimmer of hope because I just found out that I have been assigned to a new endocrinologist. The nurse assured me that this new doctor is "the best" and will definitely review my treatment plan and listen to what I'm telling them. She has been on the wrong end of my bitch sessions for the past year about the yahoos they have had in rotation there, but thankfully those morons are now gone and a new team of doctors is in place. Woohoo!

Could this really be the end of my thyroid nightmare? Maybe, at least for the remainder of the time we live here, that is.Then next time we get orders, it will be time to start all over again. **sigh**

Stay tuned for the next segment of Thyroid Gone Crazy :)

~Fluffy Girl~

Mixed Feelings

Today I finally went to my first group run, and I have mixed feelings about it. It was awkward before and after the run because I didn't know anybody and everyone else seemed to have connections. The only person who talked to me was the 60-something year old guy who sold me my shoes at the running store last week. The conversation felt forced and he asked me a lot of the same questions he asked when he sold me my shoes. Oh well, at least he was trying to be nice. Hopefully next time I will talk to some folks and possibly make a friend. What's weird is that I used to be a very sociable person and could talk to anybody, but I guess I have lost my touch. I am much more introverted now. How, when and why did that happen I wonder?

One cool thing was that they were giving out some free swag from Brooks. I got a technical shirt, a water bottle, and a training log.

I did like the group atmosphere because it has a certain energy about it that you can't get when running alone. We ran five miles through the Battlefields of Yorktown where the Civil War was fought. The scenery was gorgeous with all the fall colors and rolling hills. One thing that made me nervous was that we were running on a trail I had never been on, and there were multiple splits in the trail that could lead you a few miles in the wrong direction if you made a wrong turn. I made sure I stayed close to at least one person in front of me so I wouldn't get lost. My training plan called for six miles today, so I ran an extra mile when I got home. My legs are a little sore from all the hills because I'm not used to them, but my shins actually feel pretty good so far. We'll see about that tomorrow though. Overall I guess it was an okay experience because I kept a good pace, got my miles in, and experienced a new trail--but the social aspect was a little disappointing. After reading about the November Project last night in the most recent issue of Runner's World, I guess I was expecting more camaraderie...and some hugs :)

This afternoon, Hubs made me feel better by showing some love and doing what he does best: spoiling me. What girl doesn't like yummy drinks and chocolate?!

Now I'm off to kick some ass in Yahtzee for Family Game Night. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Fluffy Girl~

Horoscopes

Ever since I can remember, I have read my horoscope every single day. Even as a young girl, I would read it in the newspaper every morning and then think about it all day to see if it came true. Then the internet came along, and I signed up to have my horoscope emailed to me every day. Some days it is completely off, but most days it is freakishly correct. Sometimes it scares me a little.

I am a Libra, and this sign could not describe me any better.

Here are a few tidbits that decribe my sign that I feel describe me to the letter (taken from multiple sources):

• "Libras are first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them."  
• "Libras epitomize balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. While they are true team players at work, their favorite partnership is at home: marriage. Libras feel most complete when they are coupled up with their lover, forever." This could not be more true of me!
• "Libras are objective, just, and want to do what's best for everyone."
• "Libras study every possible angle in the hopes of achieving peace and harmony, so much so that others may see them as fickle and indecisive. If that's what it takes to avoid a confrontation, that's fine with the Scales." Also very true :)
• "Libras like to put their mind to good use, and enjoy communicating their thoughts to others." Hello!? This is totally me.
• "Libras are polite and don't like to fight, far preferring to talk things through. Remember, these folks know how to communicate so they're bound to make their point."
• "They also love the colors of the sunset sky, that melding of ivory, pink and light blue." I absolutely LOVE sunsets. Most people who know anything about me can tell you this!
•  "In the game of love, Libras are a bundle of energy and loyal to the core." I'm one of the most loyal people you could ever meet. Just ask Hubs--we have been through hell together, and we are as strong as ever. Love you babe, FOREVER!!!

Do you read your horoscope daily? Do you think there is any truth to astrology and the zodiak?

Random Stuff

This week has been pretty crazy so far, with a bunch of random stuff going on.

1.  On the way home from our meeting last night, the car behind us got rear-ended REALLY hard. We heard tires squealing and then a second later, boom. I feel bad for them and I hope they're okay, but at the same time I'm glad it wasn't me! I've been waiting for something like this to happen to me, considering my son and Hubs each rear-ended someone within the past couple months. As they say, things always happen in 3's.

2.  Speaking of things happening in 3's, I have spilled on myself three times today. Cappaccino, water, and powerade. At least none of them were beer though--that would be a sin!

3. I attended my first FRG meeting last night for my husband's unit, and for some odd reason I felt the need to volunteer to be the Treasurer. I have a feeling that because I'm in control of the money, I will also be expected to come up with the ideas on how to raise the money to put into the account in the first place. Fundraising is not my thing--I hate asking people for money. Feeling some "volunteer's remorse" setting in....

4.  My Hubs is having bad luck with cabinet shelves lately. First, the entire top shelf in one of our kitchen cabinets fell down. That one was hilarious, and the look on his face was priceless. What made it even funnier was that we had two pots sitting on the counter that were full of soapy water so they could soak, and several items fell into those pots and splashed water all over him. That was the best part. Then the top shelf of our medicine cabinet (which is "his" shelf) fell down this morning when he was getting ready for work. That one wasn't quite as funny, but it still called for a chuckle at his misfortune. Sorry hun, love you :)


5.  Not only have I spilled on myself numerous times today, but I also fell in the toilet because the cleaning crew always leaves the seat up after they clean it at night. Apparently I forgot this little detail and was too consumed with listening to my boss's Voxer message to notice. Kerplunk.


6.  My shins and calves STILL hurt even after taking yesterday off my training schedule because of the meeting we had to go to. I have read conflicting information about how to treat shin splints--some say to stop running until the pain subsides, and others say to just keep training because your body has to get used to the stress that running puts on your legs and they will eventually go away. I will most likely go running tonight to make up the miles I missed yesterday, and hopefully it will all work itself out. If not, I guess I will be putting some more frozen drinks on my shins tonight!

7. We are getting a Panda Express here soon!! You have no idea how happy that makes me. I love me some Orange Chicken & white rice, and they have the best.

8. I love silly moments with my guys. Last night in the car we were singing Christmas carols and acting like complete fools. I'm really going to miss moments like those when Hubs deploys again soon :(

9. This list is way longer than I thought it would be. And I could go on!

10. Please leave me a comment and tell me a random thing that has happened to you lately :)

Pushing Through

I knew as soon as I got up this morning that my run today was going to be painful. Apparently it took a couple days for my longer run over the weekend to catch up with my calves and shins. I thought I was done with this pain after getting my new shoes! I still managed to get through my miles today, but it wasn't fun. Now I'm relaxing and icing my shins.

Like my redneck ice packs? I was too lazy to actually use ice. These are working just as well though! I have to alter my training schedule a little bit this week in order to attend a meeting tomorrow after work, but maybe the day of rest will do my legs some good and they will feel better on Wednesday. I'm hoping that is the case!

Total Steps: 13,316
Training Run: 3 miles

~Fluffy Girl~

Running On Air

Just finished my first run with my new shoes, and I am in love. It was literally like running on air. No shin splints, no blisters, no pain whatsoever. I'm so glad I went to the experts to help me pick out some shoes that are best for me!

Brooks Ghost 6

Week One of training has been a success. It started out a little painful, but I pushed through and finished all my training runs according to the schedule. Looking forward to week two!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day, but the forecast is calling for some beautiful weather so hopefully I can convince someone to go on a hike with me.

Now it's time for me to eat some of Hubs' yummy chili and settle in for a "Snapped" marathon. I love that show!

~Fluffy Girl~

There's No Turning Back Now

Today was a very important day for us. After months of stressful contemplation, my husband made the decision to re-enlist in the Army. This was not an easy decision, and a lot of important issues had to be taken into account. I told him I would stand behind whatever decision he made and support him 100% no matter what. Either way, we would figure it out and do whatever we had to do.

Re-enlistment Day 11.15.13

Re-enlistment Ceremony 11.15.13

His decision to stay in the military is bittersweet. I am a proud Army Wife, but this lifestyle is not easy on any of us. (Just for the record, that statement is NOT a complaint--it is a fact.) Since he chose to continue his military career, we are now facing his third deployment coming up in about six months. Between now and then, he will be doing a lot of training at different bases as his unit once again prepares for war. I hate to think of him being in that environment again and the amount of time he will be away from us, but that is part of this life. We have gotten through it twice before, and we will get through it again.

As I have said a million times and I will say a million more, I am so proud of this man. He is an exemplary soldier, a brave leader, a powerful mentor. He has made so many sacrifices for our family and for this country. Through his entire military career, he has always done things the honorable way and performed his duties with pride and resilience. I have watched him grow and become more confident in himself. His soldiers look up to him, trust him, and strive to be better soldiers with him as their mentor. And what a great example he is to these young soldiers--he is a Bronze Star recipient that stepped up instead of stepping away like many others did. His selfless service is what sets him apart from others, and that is what makes me so proud to be his wife.

Bronze Star Recipient, January 2013

There's no turning back now--this is our life indefinitely. I couldn't ask for a better man to stand next to and support as he continues to serve and defend our country. Hoooah!

~Fluffy Girl~

Close Call

Today my body almost met the bumper of a white sports car while I was out on my run. Literally, it was within inches of hitting me. The guy didn't even look my way, AND he blew through a stop sign. I got his attention by slapping the side of his car (it's a good thing I don't run very fast or I wouldn't have been able to stop in time), and then he just looked over his shoulder and sped away. I'm glad his windows were down so he could hear all the expletives I was screaming at him, and I sure as hell hope he was looking in his rear-view mirror to see the birds I was flipping his way. Idiot.

Anyways, other than getting the crap scared out of me, my run went pretty well today. It was my last run in my hot pink Nike running shoes, and I'm kinda sad to be retiring them. We have been through a lot together!

    
By the way, here's something totally random--I saw this picture in a magazine and I cannot figure out what the heck this thing is. Does anyone know? There was absolutely no explanation in the article, so I am quite confused and intrigued by the concept of whatever this is. I might have nightmares about it.

Total Steps: 13,563
Training Run: 4 miles
Feeling: Tired and a little sore in the badonkadonk

~Fluffy Girl~

If the Shoe Fits

Yesterday was a resting day, so I decided to head on down to the local running store for my first ever shoe fitting. It was a very interesting and informational experience!

First, they had me stand on a mat in front of a computer screen. This showed my arch and how my weight is distributed when I'm standing. Then they had me walk across the mat to see if my arches collapse when I walk, and again how my weight is distributed while walking. Lastly, they had me run on a treadmill while they recorded it so we could play it back in slow motion to study my gait and numerous other things. I have never thought so much about every tiny detail of what happens to my feet/ankles/legs when I run.

And that's when the really fun part started--I got to try on tons of shoes! I used to have a shoe fetish when I was in my 20's, but I had gotten over that....until now. I could feel that old twinge of excitement when they started bringing out box after box after box of shoes. But, I have a little more self control now and I knew I would have to choose one. I walked and ran on the treadmill with each pair, and it was interesting to notice all the small differences in each brand of shoes. I had it narrowed down to 3 pairs, which I tried on at least three times each. I finally made a decision, and I can't wait to go pick them up this weekend. The added bonus was that I ended up choosing the ones that were the cheapest! (I didn't know the prices while I was trying them on--they don't want you to choose a shoe based on cost, but how it FEELS. Once I made my decision, they showed me the prices.)

I was really impressed by the knowledge and advice that the sales person provided during my shoe fitting. There really is more to running than just moving your legs. It is important to understand how your body moves and to have the right shoes/other gear so you can prevent injury and perform your best. I just wish I had done this sooner!

Total Steps for the Day: 10,764 (yes, even on rest days I still make sure I get my steps in!)

~Fluffy Girl~

 

I totally Fartlek'd! In the SNOW!!

Okay okay, I know most of the people who actually read my blog (Hi Mom! I think you are the only one!) will have no idea what "fartlek" means. And no, it has nothing to do with what you are thinking! Fartlek is a Swedish word that literally means "speed play." The English dictionary definition is "a training technique, used especially among runners, consisting of bursts of intense effort alternating with less strenuous activity." So basically, it's just a funny-sounding word for interval training. 

I started my run today and once again my shins started hurting within the first half mile. Yesterday I solved the problem by running faster and things went well, but today that wasn't working so I decided to fartlek to give myself small breaks from the pain. I would run until I couldn't possibly run anymore, and then walked for fifteen seconds--and repeat. I did that for the entire distance, and finished only 22 seconds slower than yesterday. You gotta do what you gotta do to get past the pain sometimes. 

The other thing that slightly hindered my performance was the 35 mph wind gusts and the snow slapping my face. Yes, it was actually snowing here!  It wasn't much and it didn't stick to the ground, but those little ice crystals kinda stung when the wind really picked up. 

I wasn't sure what to wear when I left the house because I heat up really quickly when I run and I hate being overheated, but it was also pretty chilly with that strong wind so I went with a sweatshirt with a tank top underneath, jogging capris, and a scarf just in case things got out of hand with the wind/snow. 

I could tell by watching the people in my neighborhood that they aren't used to the cold around here--one lady actually got in her car to drive to the mailbox that was about 30 yards away from her front door. Seriously!? Another guy asked me if I was okay, like I was out there running away from someone. I replied, "I'm fantastic!" and he said, "You are crazy." Hmmmm.....maybe!

Total Steps: 10,788

Training Run: 3 miles

Feeling: Accomplished, and a little chilly! 

~Fluffy Girl~

  

Today is the Day!

Well, it's officially my first day of marathon training. Here's a peek at what is in store for me over the next 125 days:

Looks like fun, right? Probably not to some people, but I enjoy challenging myself and seeing how much I can improve from week to week. It's not going to be easy, but I am pumped to get this thing started!

Okay folks, so the first half of this post was written earlier today. I just finished my first training run, and it didn't start out very well. I started feeling shin splints coming on after only half a mile. I was so disappointed and was sure the run was doomed. I walked for about 10 seconds and then started up again, hoping that somehow this tiny break would somehow miraculously make them go away. It didn't work. But instead of giving up, I decided to do the opposite because I had been looking forward to this run all day. I ran faster. And faster. And FASTER! Pretty soon I was sprinting, which is something I just simply don't do. And guess what--my shins felt glorious! Even though I could barely breathe after another half mile, it felt amazing. I kept running fast, although I did slow down from a full-out sprint. I managed to run the entire rest of the route at a pace I haven't been able to do in over a year. What a great way to start out this journey!  Can't wait to run again tomorrow. Go to hell, shin splints! :)

Total Steps: 12,334
Training Run: 3 miles
Feeling: Pumped, Happy, Excited!

Veterans Day

To most of America, today is just a day off of work or school that holds no great significance in their lives. As they take advantage of the sales at the retail stores and go about their day doing whatever it is they please, they won't even think twice about the thousands of men and women who are currently fighting in a war that barely gets mentioned anymore.  They won't be thinking about all the holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, graduations and other special events missed by deployed service members, the babies born while their fathers are thousands of miles away, the day to day struggle the troops endure during deployments, and most of all they won't be thinking about all the lives lost in combat or the troops who come back wounded physically and/or mentally. We owe our veterans so much gratitude, and yet even on this one day a year when we are supposed to honor them, the majority of our nation will not do so. Please don't be a part of that majority!

With all that said, I want to show my appreciate for all of our vets--both past and present. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifices, and Thank You for the life that I am able to live today in this great nation of the USA.

Of course, the most important service member I need to thank is my husband. I can't even begin to describe how proud I am of this man, and how thankful I am for what he does for our family and our country. The first time I saw him in his uniform, my heart absolutely melted. I will never forget that day and the pride I felt when I saw him marching across that field at his basic training graduation. He was a different man than the one who left our hometown a couple months prior to that, and I couldn't believe how focused and disciplined he was. He was a new man--an American Soldier! We only had about ten minutes to talk after the ceremony, and then he was whisked away on a bus taking him to AIT in Maryland.

Basic Training Graduation, 2006

Fast forward to the present day, and there's no way I could have prepared myself for the journey we have been on together over the past seven years. Three duty stations and two deployments later, and this man still continues to make me proud day after day.

To Hubs: Thank you so much for all you have done for our family. You are a wonderful husband, father, provider, and soldier. You take care of us, and we always know we can count on you. You are our hero, and we stand behind you no matter what. We love you, and we are so proud of you! Happy Veterans Day :)      Love, Wifey
~Fluffy Girl~

Weekend Recap

Friday

Total Steps: 6,490
Planks: 60 seconds x 3 sets
Pushups: 25 reps x 3 sets
Side Leg Raises: 25 reps x 3 sets
Calf Raises: 60 seconds x 3 sets

I forgot my company credit cards at home and Hubs had the day off, so he came to visit me at work and drop off the credit cards before my boss found out. While he was there, he modeled my hot pink hard hat. He looks better in it than I do.

Friday night Hubs and I went bowling, and I must admit that I am absolutely terrible at it. We played three games, and only once did I break 100 points--and even that was only by 5 pins. It was totally ridiculous! I think the numerous drinks we consumed before and during may have had something to do with it. Thank goodness for our teenager with a driver's license :)

My highest score of the evening...how embarrassing!

Saturday

REST

Sunday

Hiking: 5 miles

Went for a hike today with my friend, who also just happens to be my boss's wife. Technically I guess she is my boss too since it is a family business owned by her father, but whatever. This was the first time we have ever spent time together outside of work--I guess we will see where this takes us. I've been trying to convince her to start running so I can have a running partner, but she hasn't committed to that yet. Maybe one day....

On another note, the scenery on the trail was amazing :)

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

~Fluffy Girl~

Deer and Polar Bears

Tuesday

Total Steps: 10,055
Walking: 3 miles

On Tuesday my son and I went to check out a new trail (new to us anyways) that I heard about through the running group I "joined". By "joined" I mean I now recieve their weekly emails about where they are running that weekend, but I have yet to meet up with them to run. Does that count?? Anyways, this new trail loops around a golf course, and the scenery was gorgeous. Once the fall colors are at their prime, I will definitely be going back down there with my camera for some good foliage pics.

This little guy was about 10 yards from us on the trail. We saw a bunch more running through the trees farther out, but this one wasn't afraid of us at all!

Wednesday

Total Steps: 10,377
Planks: 60 seconds x 3 sets
Lunges: 25 reps x 3 sets
Squats: 25 reps x 3 sets
Pushups: 20 reps x 3 sets
Tricep Dips: 25 reps x 3 sets

Yesterday I took my 16-year-old son to the doctor, and as soon as we entered the exam room I realized he needs to be transferred to the Family Clinic instead of Pediatrics. It was quite comical, especially when the doctor made him lay down and half his body was hanging off the table. Then the doctor proceeded to ask him a bunch of questions that most teens would not want to discuss in front of their parents and it could have been incredibly awkward, but we're cool like that. I know I say this all. the. time....but how in the world did my baby grow up so fast? I love this rad dude <3

 

 

 

~Fluffy Girl~

Never Forget 11.5.09

Today marks the four year anniversary of the Fort Hood Shooting where 13 people were fatally shot and more than 30 others were wounded at the hands of a US Soldier. I will never forget that day and all the chaos and confusion that followed the news of the massacre. We were stationed at Fort Hood at the time, and my Hubs was on base. I had no idea where he was exactly or what was really going on since the news stations were reporting conflicting information. Cell phone communication was sketchy for hours as the entire Fort Hood/Killeen area went into full panic mode. I worked at a bank at the time, and a large portion of my coworkers were fellow military wives. I remember running down the hallway to the breakroom to watch the news, and I have never experienced a silence like that even though the room was packed from wall to wall. All eyes were trained on the television, and all ears were straining to hear the reports. Tears ran down our faces as we hugged eachother and tried to stay strong and calm, but in each of our minds we were wondering....where is my husband, and is he okay?

Several of my coworkers lived on base, so they were unable to go home because the base was on lockdown. A couple of them came to my house to wait, and we were glued to the television. Looking back on it now, I really wonder where some of those news stations were getting their information. There were so many different stories going around that there was no way to know what was really happening. They reported that there were multiple shooters--but there was only one. They reported that there were also shootings going on at several other locations on base, including the PX, the Commissary and the Library. These were all untrue. They reported that the shooter had escaped and was at an apartment in Killeen and they had him surrounded, which was untrue. Another news station reported that the shooter was DEAD. This, of course, was untrue as well.

I finally did hear from my husband hours later, which was a great relief. He had just returned from a 15-month tour in Iraq earlier that year, and I thought he was safe when he was on American soil. That day was a harsh wake up call that he is not safe anywhere, even surrounded by his fellow soldiers. And that, I think, is extremely sad.

Please keep the victims of this massacre and their families in your thoughts today. They have already gone through enough, and then our government decides to label this incident as "workplace violence" rather than terrorism--which makes the victims and their families ineligible to receive benefits. That fact just blows my mind, along with the fact that Hasan was still getting paid by our government while awaiting trial, but I'm not going to get into that right now. The important thing today is to reflect on those lost and tattered lives, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Never forget 11.5.09

~Fluffy Girl~

Shin Splints, Magazines & Bath Bombs, Oh My!

   

Monday

Total Steps: 12,572
Planks: 60 seconds x 3 sets
Push-ups: 15 reps x 3 sets
Squats: 25 reps x 3 sets
Lunges: 25 reps per leg x 3 sets

Running, and then walking: 3 miles...this was not how this was supposed to go! I was so pumped all day to go running, and then as soon as I hit 1.5 miles my legs decided to bust out some gnarly shin splints. I haven't had shin splints since I first started running. I had forgotten how excruciating they can be, and I'm not grateful for the reminder. Hopefully this was a one-time deal and they don't return anytime in the near future.

Today I finally received my first two issues of Runner's World magazine. My boss and his wife got me a subscription for my birthday--what a thoughtful gift! I can't wait to start reading them, but they will have to wait until tomorrow because it's past my bedtime. This time change thing really has me messed up!

My son's girlfriend got me a gift over the weekend while she was shopping in Washington DC. She is such a sweet girl! At first I wasn't sure what it was, but I have now figured out that it is a Bath Bomb by Lush. I'm excited to try this one out--it smells heavenly and is supposed to ease sore muscles. Perfect for someone training for a marathon! The Lush website is full of cool stuff. I may have to make a stop there next time I'm in DC. Thanks Sydney!!

That's all for now. Good night!

~Fluffy Girl~

Goals and Ambitions

I recently turned 34 years old. While that may not seem very old in the grand scope of things, I am having a hard time with being that age. Don't get me wrong--I love my life and I'm very thankful for all that I have, but I feel like I'm lacking something...I think it's time to come up with some goals and ambitions.

Being a military wife has made it difficult to focus on a career goal for myself since we move so often, and I haven't had a lot of opportunity to fully engage myself in a job before we have to move on to the next duty station. Heck, even finding a job at all is difficult in this economy, let alone scoring a job that I may actually enjoy for the short amount of time we live there. But some big changes are coming up in the next year, and I must admit that I am scared. There are so many big decisions to make, and one of those is for me to figure out what I want to do career-wise. I have tried many different occupations in my life, and I can't really say I want to continue doing any of them. I'm sick of the same old desk jobs where I sit and count down the hours until I can leave. I want a job that I actually enjoy doing--not just a place to go collect a paycheck. The problem is, I'm not really sure what that might be.

One thing I have always enjoyed is writing, and that's one of the many reasons I started this blog. When I was growing up, my favorite subject in school was English. Any type of reading or writing was my favorite thing to do. I can't even tell you how many books I have read in my life, but it would be in the thousands for sure. I took some creative writing classes in college, and everyone always told me they loved my work. It would be amazing to someday become a columnist for a magazine, a professional blogger for a website, or even write a book. But unfortunately, none of those things will be adding numbers to my checkbook until a make a name for myself, get my work out there, and grab everyone's attention. But....where to begin???

The one ambition I do have right now is to run a marathon. I was not athletic growing up, and as I said in my "Back to Basics" post (which you can read Here ), I couldn't even run one lap around a track when I first began running. Unfortunately, due to a stubborn doctor and my thyroid disease's effects on my body, I haven't been running much for the past year. This is so not cool. But, I'm going to change that because my training starts in one week, screwy thyroid or not! I am so excited to start this journey and push myself beyond my limits. Never in a million years would I have thought I could run a marathon, but gosh darn it, I am going to do it. Hopefully this will also inspire me and give me the confidence to try other things that I never thought I could do. The possibilities are endless!

What are some goals/ambitions that you have, and what are you doing to achieve them?

~Fluffy Girl~

Bring It On

Sunday

Total Steps: 11,268
Hiking: 5 miles

Started out the day with a nice 5 mile hike with Hubs on the Noland Trail, and the scenery was gorgeous. The trail winds around Lake Maury, and this is my favorite time of year when the leaves are changing colors and there's a nip in the air. Absolutely perfect beginning to my Sunday! Then, we came home and had a scrumptious breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon and toast. Yum :)

So I was looking at the calendar and realized that my official marathon training begins one week from tomorrow. I'm excited to get started on this journey to completing a marathon and seeing how it transforms my body and mind. I have been reading tons of articles, magazines, blogs and books about running, and it really has me pumped up! Bring. It. On.

Degrees of Desperation

Thursday

Total Steps: 13,525
Planks: 45 seconds x 5 sets
Walking: 3.5 miles
Pace: 15:10

I made the mistake of trying to go for a run during trick-or-treating hours. Bad idea! I have never been a huge fan of Halloween, so as you can imagine I was pretty annoyed. I ended up walking the entire way. Boo!

Friday

Total Steps: Unknown. Forgot my pedometer because I wore different shoes. I hate it when I do that!
Planks: 45 seconds x 3 sets
Squats: 25 reps x 3 sets
Lunges: 25 reps x 3 sets

Saturday

REST

I actually meant to go for a run on my favorite trail today, but I never made it down there. Hopefully I will get my butt in gear tomorrow and knock it out. I sure wish I had a friend to join me!

Which brings me to a sad, pitiful point: me and Hubs really, desperately, need some local friends. We have lived here for two years, and all the people we met have either moved away or we lost touch. It is so tough to make new friends! We often compare ourselves to Doug and Carrie on "King of Queens" when they try to meet new people at a home improvement store and a drug store, among other places. We haven't actually resorted to that quite yet, but it has been brought up several times and is getting ridiculously close to that degree of desperation. So sad, so sad....

~Fluffy Girl~

Soccer Mom Pride

Wednesday

Planks: 45 seconds x 5 sets

Total Steps: 11,370

So in case you didn't know, I have been a Proud Soccer Mom for 12 years. And yes, I just capitalized that because it is that important to me! I don't mean to brag or anything, but my kid ROCKS at soccer. I used to be one of those moms who ran up and down the side of the field screaming my head off like a maniac and hurling insults that are meant to be constructive, but I have settled down now...a little bit. I'm usually able to stay in my chair these days and keep my trap shut, but sometimes I get the urge to be "that mom" again--particularly during games when the kids are playing like they have never seen a soccer ball before. What is even harder to be quiet about is when the refs make insanely horrible calls on the field--that is the worst!!

Wednesday night was the last game of the fall season for my son's rec league. They were undefeated, so it wasn't going to be all that stressful since they already had first place in the bag. It turned out that the opposing team (which happens to be my son's girlfriend's team) forfeited because they thought they didn't have enough players even though their entire team ended up showing at the last minute. So, they decided to play just for fun instead. It was a nice way to end the season with a fun and silly game with no pressure. A couple of the coaches joined in, and one even played barefoot. Now that takes guts--there is no way I would play soccer barefoot with a bunch of rowdy teenagers and expect to keep all my toes. But, everyone (and their extremities) survived and another successful soccer season comes to a close. We are the champions!!

I found this pic recently and laughed my butt off while simultaneously shedding a tear at it's cuteness. It's amazing how quickly time goes by and how much our kids change without us even realizing it.

Then.... 

I believe this was my son's first soccer team when he was 4 years old. Can you pick him out?

 And present day...

Tabb High School Soccer Team, Spring 2013

 

I don't know what I'm gonna do without this guy in a couple years :(  Love you Oopie Doopie!


~Fluffy Girl~

Weekend Recap

Friday

Total Steps: 12,045

Planks: 40 seconds x 4 sets
Squats: 25 reps x 3 sets
Tricep Dips: 25 reps x 3 sets
Lunges: 25 reps (each leg) x 3 sets
Calf Raises: 60 seconds x 3 sets

Saturday

Total Steps: 11,054

Running/Walking Intervals: 4.5 miles
Pace: 12:00


Sunday

REST

Went shopping with my son for his girlfriend's birthday present, played Yahtzee with Hubs, and watched football. Also, I discovered Jordy Nelson is my favorite Packer. And look, he even likes milk!!! What a swell guy.



Monday

It was a struggle just to get up for work...my husband and I discovered a new drink the night before (Raspberry Vodka and Red Monster, which tastes like koolaid by the way), and let's just say we won't be drinking it again anytime soon! So, it was another resting day :)

Have a great week!!

~Fluffy Girl~